College Transitioning Tips for your Homeschooler

If your homeschooler is a sophomore or junior, they are probably beginning to think about colleges. They are probably wondering which one they will attend, whether they will live off or on campus, what their major will be, and how they will make the transition from homeschooled scholar to college student. Three of the ways that your college student can ensure a pleasant transition into college life are: getting a part time job six months or more before beginning college, join an organization that can act as a resource on college campuses (such as local ministries), engage in fully independent activities (like studying for exams or setting personal goals for achievement).

Getting a job can be beneficial to your homeschooler for several reasons. Monetary support is the most obvious reason. Beyond that, your homeschooler will learn transferable skills such as typing, people skills, time management, and much more. Having a part time job will also teach your child responsibility and the idea that their actions receive direct recognition and have rewards and/or consequences. Of course, all of these things turn into the development of more independent person with the ability to recognize what he or she needs to do in order to be successful, reliable, and professional.

Secondly, homeschoolers will find it helpful to join local clubs that may have national ties. One example is joining a fellowship group that may have ties to Campus Crusade for Christ. This provides a social networking opportunity before, during, and after the transition to college. This social network will be so important to your homeschooler when confronting new and foreign experiences in college. Finding and making friends is important, but having friends who share a spiritual connection to God is, arguably, the most rewarding type of friendship one can have.

Lastly, your homeschooler will need to be encouraged to go out and set goals for him/herself. Of course, it is wonderful to gain insight from collaborative efforts, but you want to make sure that your homeschooler is unafraid to identify his/her needs and develop a plan to make the goals attainable. This independence will pay off when your homeschooler is charged with the task of making decisions day after day during their college career. You never want your child to feel helpless in the world.

Each of these suggestions will be helpful in making a professional, socially adjusted, and independent person who will make the best decisions for him/herself regarding education and life.